Snubbed truck



LE ROY J. VINCENT SNUBBED TRUCK Filed July 30, 1959 June 13, 1961 2,988,016

N50 858 k94E 2 30 64 JNVENTOR.

25 of@ @baceau United States Patent O Jersey Filed July 30, 1959, Ser. No. 830,637

13 Claims. (Cl. 10S-197) This invention relates to railway car trucks and, more particularly, to that type of truck known as a snubbed truck.

The invention comprehends an improved snubbing arrangement for damping vertical oscillations of a truck bolster which is resiliently supported on the side frames of a car truck.

In a great majority of the snubbing arrangements currently being employed in railway car trucks, such as that disclosed in Patent No. 2,413,458, a friction shoe is urged into frictional engagement with converging surfaces of the side frame and bolster of a truck by a spring which is normally disposed between the surfaces and which is partially received within the friction shoe itself.

In arrangements of the type wherein the spring extends into the shoe the wedge bearing surfaces of the shoe are generally so small as to require an excessive amount of pressure on the spring to effect the desired results. By re-positioning the shoe actuating spring without the shoe the shoe can be provided with increased wedge bearing surfaces so as to reduce the amount of spring pressure required.

Furthermore, by positioning the shoe actuating spring with its compressional axis disposed parallel to the plane of the co-engaging wedge bearing surface of the shoe and bolster wedge wall, the force from the canted spring provides a component normal to the co-engaging vertical friction surfaces of the shoe and side frame column which is additive to the column pressure. Thus, the pressure on the bolster wedging surface is less and the spring force necessary to provide satisfactory column friction can also be reduced.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved snubbing arrangement wherein the friction shoes actuating spring is not disposed between the wedge and friction surfaces of the shoe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a snubbing arrangement wherein no portion of the friction shoe actuating spring is housed within the shoe.

Yet, another object of the invention is to provide a snubbing arrangement wherein the friction shoe actuating spring is disposed with its compressional axis extending parallel to the wedge surface of the shoe.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a snubbing arrangement wherein the wedge wall of the bolster is disposed between the main body of the friction shoe and the shoe actuating spring.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from an examination of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a snubbed railway car truck embodying features of the invention, with portions of the structure shown in vertical section; Y

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

It will be understood that certain elements have been omitted from certain views where they are better illustrated in other views. y

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the invention it will -be seen that a snubbing ar- Patented June 13, 1961 ICC rangement embodying features of the invention is shown as applied to a railway car truck comprising a pair of 'spaced side frames indicated generally at 10 (only one of which is shown) supported in a conventional manner by a plurality of Wheel and axle assemblies (not shown) and interconnected by a bolster, indicated generally at 12, which in turn may be supported at its ends in a conventional manner on the respective side frames by a plurality of load supporting `springs indicated generally at 14.

Each of the side frames includes a pair of vertically extending columns 16 spaced from each other to define therebetween an opening 18 for receiving the bolster and the load supporting springs.

At its ends the bolster may `be provided with gibs 20 for engagement with opposite sides of the side frame columns 16 to restrict longitudinal movement of the bolster relative to the side frames.

The ends of the bolster are preferably box-like in form and include vertically spaced horizontal top and bottom walls 21 and 22, respectively, which are interconnected by a pair of horizontally spaced vertical side walls 23 and a vertical center wall 26. The top and bottom walls may also be interconnected by a pair of horizontally spaced vertically extending transverse walls 28 which extend in a direction generally normal to the bolster center and side walls and which define with the top, bottom, and center bolster walls Ia pair of pockets 30 open toward the sides of the bolster.

Within each pocket of the bolster there is an inclined wedge wall 32 presenting an outwardly facing friction surface 34. The wedge walls are preferably formed integrally with the bottom walls of the bolster and slope upwardly therefrom toward the side walls of the bolster. Each of the wedge walls may be reinforced by a generally Y-shaped rib structure, indicated generally at 36, and which comprises a pair of ribs 38 extending inwardly from the inner side of the wedge wall and merging with each other and with a central rib 40 which extends outwardly from the bolster center wall 26. The pairs of ribs 38 extending from the respective wedge walls 32 of the bolster may be interconnected by a common center rib 40.

The rib structure 36 in each pocket presents an upwardly facing spring seat 42 which preferably is disposed in a plane extending normal to surface 34 of the adjacent wedge Wall 32. The spring seat may be provided with an upwardly extending boss 44.

The top and side walls 21 and 23, respectively, of the bolster may be provided with openings 46 and 4S, respectively, in order to provide access to the pocket 30.

Disposed Within each of the bolster pockets is a friction shoe indicated generally at 50 in which, as best seen in FIGURE 1, is generally K-shaped in vertical cross section. Each shoe comprises a generally at vertical friction wall 52 presenting on the outer side thereof a friction face 54 disposed for engagement with a flat vertical frction surface 56 presented by a wearplate 58 secured to the inwardly facing side of the related side frame column 16.

Still referring to FIGURE 1 it will be seen that there is formed integrally with and extending inwardly from the inner side of shoe friction wall 52 a wedge wall 60 which` presents on the side thereof remote from the friction wall a wedge face 62 disposed for engagement with the outwardly facing wedge surface 34 of the related bolster wedge wall 32. As best seen in FIGURE 3 wedge surface 34 of the bolster and wedge face 62 of the shoe are complementary and are preferably V-shaped in cross sectionrin order to afford greater lateral stability for the device and to aid in maintaining the shoe in proper alignment. Still referring to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that wedge wall 60 of the shoe may be connected to--frictiou wall 52 of thel shoe `byapair of parallel' gene erally vertically extending spaced side walls 64. To accommodate insertion of a tool, in order to facilitate assembly of the device in a conventional manner, sidewalls 64 may be provided with holes'66 (FIGURE l) "whicl'i"4 are-disposed for alignment withholes 68 inthe related transverse walls 28l of the bolster.

Also formed integrally with and'extending inwardly from the inner side of each of the shoe friction walls 52 is spring wall 7i?. rlhe wall 'lil may be also connected to-the friction wall 52 by a pair of spaced vertical ribs 72. As best seen in FIGURE l, spring'wall 70`preseuts on its inner side, or the side toward the shoe wedge'wall 60, a spring seat 74 having extending therefrom a boss 76 disposed for alignment with boss 44 presented on the related spring seat 42 of the bolster.

Again referring to FIGURE l, it will be seen that the Wedgerand spring walls ofthe shoe diverge from the friction wall 52 of the shoe approximately at right angles to each other so as to form angles of less-than 90" with the friction wall of the shoe.

Still referring toFIGURE 1, it will be seen that each shoe is disposed in the bolster pocket with thev main body of the shoe positioned outwardly of the bolster wedge wall` and with only the spring wall of the shoe extending inwardly of the bolster wedge wall. ofthe shoe is achieved by means of a coil compression spring 80 which is compressibly interposed between the' spring seats 42 and 74 of the bolster and frictionshoe;

respectively, with the spring seat bosses 44 and 76 .received within the end coils of the spring to maintainit improper alignment.

Thus it will be understood that each frictionV shoe is positioned with both of its faces being disposed onone side of the bolster wedge wall while the shoe actuating spring is disposed on the opposite side of the bolster wedge wall, with the compressional axis of the spring ward the adjacent side frame column surface; frictionl shoes disposed in respective pockets andV movable vertically therein, each of said shoes having a vertical friction wall presenting an outer friction face engaging the friction surface of the related side frame column and having extending from said friction wall a pair of inwardly diverging walls, one of said divergingwalls being a wedge wall presenting an inwardly facing wedge face engaging an outwardly facing wedge surface of the4 related bolster wedge wall, and the other of said diverg-A Actuation ing walls being a spring wall extending inwardly of yand normal to the related bolsterwedge wall;. and a spring disposed in said pocket inwardly of the related `bolster wedge wall and compressibly interposed between and directly abutting a spring seat on the bolster within the bolster pocket and a spring seat on the friction shoe spring wall, said spring being the sole member reacting between said bolster and friction shoe and Adisposed so that its reaction axis has a vertical component of direc-V tion and the spring being operable to urge the friction.

shoe vertically and to urge the faces thereof into engage.

ment with. the related wedge and friction surfaces` of the bolster and side frame-column.

l2. In arsnubbed railway car truck the combination of:

a side frame presenting a vertical friction surface; a

bolster resiliently supported` on thefside frame for .ver,

tical movement relative thereto and having at a side outwardly'facinggfriction Aface engageable with said side? frame friction surface and having extending from, said friction wall a pair of inwardly diverging walls, one; of said divergingn Walls fbeingla* Wedge Vwall presenting an inwardly facing wedge face engageable with said bolster wedge wall surface, the other of said diverging walls being a` spring wall extending Vinwardly of said bolster wedge wall; and a spring located inwardly of said bolster wedge walland reacting between and directly abuttinga spring seat in the bolster pocket and a spring seat on saidfriction shoe spring wall, said spring being the sole member reacting between said bolster and friction shoe and disposed so Ythat its reaction `axishas a vertical componentA of direction and thespring being thereby oper.. able Vto urge the friction shoe vertically and to'urge said'.v shoe friction` and .wedge faces into engagement .withthe frictionand Vwedgesurfaces of the side frame and bolster, respectively.v Y

3. In a snubbed railway car truck,- the combinationofz. a side frame presenting a vertical. friction vsurface; a bolster resiliently supported on the side frame forvertical.. movement relative theretoA said bolster .havingadjacenn said Vsurface a pocket presenting therein a wedgesurface sloping upwardly and outwardly toward and facingsadi.

side frame friction surface; a friction shoe disposed with, in and movablevertically in/said pocket and. having.in.

wardly facing and outwardly facing diverging wedgeand friction .faces engageable with the wedge and. friction ysurfaces of the bolster and side frame,y respectively; anda.`

spring disposed inwardly of said bolster wedge surface and reacting between the bolster and the shoe, and constituting the sole means so reacting, to urge the facesV of the shoe into engagement with the related surfacesof the bolsterV and side frame, the reaction axis of said` spring being parallel to.. said .bolster wedge surfaceand having a vertical component of direction.

4. In a snubbed railway car truck, the combination of z a sideA frameV presenting Va Vertical friction'surface; a bolster resiliently supported on the side frame forverticafl movement adjacent said Vfriction surface, said bolster having a pocket and. presenting in Vsaid pocket awedge` surface slopingtoward and facing said side framefrction surface; va friction shoe disposed in and` movable-V vertically in said pocket having onerportion interposedbetween said surfaces and presentingA diverging faces engageable withthe' respective bolsterl and sideframersunv faces, said shoe having another portion extending in-f-v wardly beyond saidbolster surface; and spring meansirnV said pocket locatedinwardly of said-bolster surfaceand directly engaging the bolster andsaid otherportion of.: the shoe, said spring means being the solememberfre-` acting between said-bolster and friction-shoe and'dis-w posed so that its 'reaction axishas Va 'vertical component of direction and thel spring` means being thereby voper.-

able to urge the friction shoe upwardly and to urgeth'e shoefaces' into engagement with therelated bolster and side frame.. surfaces.. l f

5. In a snubbed railway car truck, the combination'of;V a side frame member presenting a friction surface;-, a bolsterf member; resilientlysupported onthe 'side frame member and presenting a friction surface facing and angularly` related to` saidV side frame member surface;:"a vertically movable friction shoe having-'one portion inter-y posed .between said 'surfaces and` presenting a pair'of angularly related faces engageable with y.respectivef surfaces of the bolster and side frame members, isaidshoe. having anotherportion.. extending.` beyond the surface: lof

one of saidmembers; .and resilientmeans:locatedon-the opposite side ofthe surface of said one member from aesaota said one portion of the shoe and interposed between and directly engaging and reacting between said one member and said other portion of the shoe, said resilient means constituting the sole means so reacting, and being arranged so that its reaction axis has a vertical component of direction and being thereby operable to urge the friction vshoe upwardly and to urge the shoe faces into frictional engagement with the surfaces of the respective members.

6. In a snubbed railway car truck, the combination of: a side frame member presenting a friction surface; a vertically movable bolster member presenting a friction surface facing and angularly related to said side frame member surface; a vertically movable friction shoe presenting a pair of angularly related friction faces located between said surfaces for respective engagement therewith; and resilient means carried by one of said members and positioned on the side of the surface of said one member remote from the shoe and reacting between and directly engaging said one member and said shoe, said resilient means constituting the sole means so reacting, and being arranged so that its reaction axis has a vertical component of direction and being thereby operable to urge the friction shoe upwardly and to urge the shoe faces into engagement with the surfaces of the respective members.

7. A snubbed railway car truck according to claim 6, wherein said one member has a pocket therein, and wherein said shoe, said resilient means, and the friction surface of said one member are located within said pocket.

8. A snubbed railway car truck according to claim 7, wherein said one member has a wall in said pocket and wherein the friction surface of said one member is on said wall.

9. A snubbed railway car truck according to claim 7, wherein said pocket is in the bolster member.

10. A snubbed railway car truck according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the other of said members is substantially vertical and wherein the surface of said one member is inclined relative to the vertical, and wherein the compressional axis of said resilient means is substantially parallel to the surface of said one member.

ll. A snubbed railway car truck according to claim 7, wherein one face of the shoe and an engaging surface of one of the members are V-shaped.

12. A friction shoe for a snubbed truck arrangement, comprising: a friction wall presenting on one side thereof a friction face; and a pair of walls formed integrally with said friction wall and extending from the opposite side thereof, said walls diverging from said friction wall, one of said diverging walls being a wedge wall presenting a wedge face facing away from said friction wall, the other of said walls being a spring wall presenting on the side thereof toward said wedge wall a spring seat, said spring seat and the face of said wedge wall defining intersecting planes which are normal to each other.

13. A bolster for a snubbed truck arrangement, comprising: spaced horizontal top and bottom walls connected by spaced vertical walls and defining therewith a pocket; an inclined wedge wall in said pocket extending from one of said top and bottom walls, said wedge wall presenting on its outer side a friction surface; and a spring seat in said pocket located inwardly of said wedge wall on the opposite side of said wedge wall from said surface, said spring seat and said wedge wall surface defining intersecting planes which are normal to each other.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,528,473 Kowalik Oct. 31, 1950 

